Makogai
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Makogai (pronounced [makoˈŋai]) is an island belonging to Fiji's Lomaiviti Archipelago. Covering an area of 8.4 square kilometres (2,100 acres), it is situated at 17.26° South and 178.58° East. It has a maximum altitude of 267 metres (876 ft). Makogai is visible from Ovalau.
The beach forest, cycad dominated, and coastal/marine ecosystem of the island and its surrounding reef contribute to its national significance as outlined in Fiji's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.[1]
The island used to house a leper colony. About 300 patients lived there, nursed by Catholic sisters. It was like a small town, but white patients received better rations than non-whites. In 1925, eight men were brought to Makogai from the New Zealand leper colony on Quail Island. The leper colony operated until the 1960s.[2]
References
- ^ Ganilau, Bernadette Rounds (2007). Fiji Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PDF). Convention on Biological Diversity. pp. 107–112. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
- ^ Matthews, Philip (6 October 2019). "Island of lost souls: the leprosy colony in Lyttelton harbour". Stuff. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
17°26′S 178°58′E / 17.433°S 178.967°E
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